Dressage Girth size

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Vodkagirly

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Possibly a silly question but is it possible to convert gp girth size to dressage girth size? Eg he is currently in a 52 inch gp and I would like to keep a look out for a dressage girth for when I find a saddle, what size would you suggest or does it depend on the saddle? Thanks in advance.
 
Vodkagirly said:
Possibly a silly question but is it possible to convert gp girth size to dressage girth size? Eg he is currently in a 52 inch gp and I would like to keep a look out for a dressage girth for when I find a saddle, what size would you suggest or does it depend on the saddle? Thanks in advance.
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You'd be doing it all the wrong way round. Sort out a saddle & then buy a girth to suit your horse & the saddle. To do it the other way round as you are proposing would not be a good idea & potentially leave you with a girth that is either way too small or too big & money wasted.
 
Current advice from biomechanics research is that the girth buckles should be as close to the bottom of the saddle flap as practical. So it depends how long your saddle flaps are.
 
ycbm said:
Current advice from biomechanics research is that the girth buckles should be as close to the bottom of the saddle flap as practical. So it depends how long your saddle flaps are.
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should it not be away from them to avoid the girth being in the way? Hence why the girth straps are so long?
 
equi said:
should it not be away from them to avoid the girth being in the way? Hence why the girth straps are so long?
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Riding with a very short girth started for exactly that reason , to allow the rider to 'get their leg on'. However, current biomechanics research, including but not limited to that done for Fairfax, is showing that it is not correct if you want the horse to move as well as it is able.

I'm really glad to see this research (which we were told about at a BHS biomechanics day recently) because I have always felt uncomfortable about seeing two girth straps with a pinch of skin between them, and/or elbows knocking buckles which is what often happens with a shorter girth. I shortened my girth straps (all my saddles are monoflap), its easier than making them longer :)
 
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My horse is a 46" long girth and a 24" short girth. That has the girth about mid way on both types of saddles. Obviously there will be some variation but I I reckon a 20" difference is a reasonable rule of thumb.
 
ycbm said:
Riding with a very short girth started for exactly that reason , to allow the rider to 'get their leg on'. However, current biomechanics research, including but not limited to that done for Fairfax, is showing that it is not correct if you want the horse to move as well as it is able.

I'm really glad to see this research (which we were told about at a BHS biomechanics day recently) because I have always felt uncomfortable about seeing two girth straps with a pinch of skin between them, and/or elbows knocking buckles which is what often happens with a shorter girth. I shortened my girth straps (all my saddles are monoflap), its easier than making them longer :)
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Makes sense i suppose. I have only just started riding in a dressage and im using a girth i found in my yard tack room that noone claimed. It goes up about 2-3 holes on one side and 2 on the other.
 
FfionWinnie said:
My horse is a 46" long girth and a 24" short girth. That has the girth about mid way on both types of saddles. Obviously there will be some variation but I I reckon a 20" difference is a reasonable rule of thumb.
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The last long girth I ever used was a 46 inch and the horse wore a 30 inch dressage girth.
 
equi said:
Makes sense i suppose. I have only just started riding in a dressage and im using a girth i found in my yard tack room that noone claimed. It goes up about 2-3 holes on one side and 2 on the other.
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I don't really understand? With a dressage girth, it's not about how many holes it goes up, because that depends entirely on how long the straps are. Do you mean it's two holes down from the flaps on one side and 2-3 on the other? That would be an OK fit.
 
Billy has a 54" long girth (although would probably get away with a 52) and the dressage girth is a 28".

Love my dressage girth, very soft, supple leather with elastic at both buckle ends. Love it even more as it only cost £3 off eBay :D
 
ycbm said:
I don't really understand? With a dressage girth, it's not about how many holes it goes up, because that depends entirely on how long the straps are. Do you mean it's two holes down from the flaps on one side and 2-3 on the other? That would be an OK fit.
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Ive never looked at how many it is below the flap, because prior to this post i assumed that they were better further away!

How it is, by the way. I think its not to bad actually.

13428614_10208148814575559_3692373624427896502_n.jpg
 
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